For those of you in Alaska and over on the West coast, I thought I'd share with you our weather that we've been having and those of you in PA and the surrounding states, well, you already know. It seems just like last winter, that Mother Nature is somewhat confused on where certain types of weather are supposed to be. My whole life we've gotten snow, occasionally some really big snow storms, but this weather has been pretty darn cold and full of snow days. I remember the first winter I was in Alaska, we got a significant amount of snow in Port Heiden and it also got fairly cold. The lowest actual temp that I saw, not including wind chill, was -7* and although that was really cold, it wasn't unbearable. I also clearly remember people telling me that that wasn't as bad of a winter as they usually get. Then, last winter in Manokotak, I'd Skype with my parents and they'd tell me that there was another stretch of snow coming through PA and I'd look out and there was absolutely no snow at all. So strange! Now this winter when we're having the same issue, I get some VERY strange looks when I tell people that PA had a worse weather than I did in Alaska last year. It's like people don't want to believe me! I have to promise them I'm not lying. Rivers didn't freeze very long last year and what's usually a very traveled few hour path from Manokotak to the bigger village, Dillingham, was not frozen and hardly traveled at all because it was so unsafe. Now here we are a year later and I've got negative temps and piled up inches of snow on the ground while parts of Alaska, including Manokotak, are getting rain.
Completely changing the subject, I can now say that I am half way to 50. Last weekend I turned 25 and it was the first birthday in 2 years that I did not spend in Alaska. That made me sad and just like most things do now a days, it made me reminisce on my Alaska days. However, thanks to my wonderful friends here in PA - I brought in my birthday at midnight surrounded by all of them. After a good, crazy night of celebrating with my friends, I had a quiet dinner with my parents and some greasy cheese pizza! Not too bad of a start to 25 and I can't wait to see what this year has in store for me! I'm hoping for big things.
Mace is still a happy, crazy pup. She is enjoying civilization just as I am. We are enjoying the luxuries of having grocery stores down the road which relatively cheap food - cheaper than a village store - and of course restaurants. Mace is loving the treats that she gets often from her grandma. ;) Since we've been home she's gained roughly 30lbs. I know that sounds like a lot, which is it but she also turned 1 and has filled out. She's not too overweight, I promise. :)
She's living the life, no matter what state she lives in. :)
A few pictures from my birthday!
Mace & I hanging out by the wood stove on a snowy, cold day. I wish I would of had one of those in Alaska!!
The picture on the left is one that I found the other day of one of her first days with me. The glass float was bigger than her head basically. Naturally, I made her pose with the glass float again so we could see the change in size.... just a little different in a year and a half!
Our walk next to the frozen river today. Today it actually reached about 40* and felt so warm compared to our last few days of single digits, so Macy and I took advantage of it and went down to check out the river.
If I haven't posted it already, this is my new Jeep! I love, love, love it and am so thankful for the 4 wheel drive. It's been so great to have this winter! If I already posted it, thought you wanted to see another photo of it. :)
The other morning I woke up and checked the weather before I crawled out of bed. I wanted to know what I was getting myself into when I took Macy out. Yup...... that RealFeel was fun. Luckily, I love the cold and the snow so I don't complain. I pretend I'm in Alaska!
Well, until next time I get the urge to post. Take care and sending love across the miles!
